Novel technique to improve power engineering education through computer-assisted interactive learning

This paper presents a novel interactive teaching method utilizing computers to improve engineering education. The course material is divided into units covering major topics. First, the hardware related to the topic is presented using Power-Point slides and industry-furnished videos. This is followed by a presentation of the theory. Then the students, who use computers, jointly derive the equations and their practical applications. In a computer-equipped classroom, the instructor outlines each step of the analysis, and then the students proceed to develop the equation(s) using their computers. After a few minutes, the instructor confirms the equation and the students make corrections. The knowledge expected from the students is summarized at the end of each unit in the form of questions. Instead of a final exam, each student has to pass a test at the end of each unit. The unit exam has a calculation and an essay part. The teaching effectiveness is assessed with questions that the students answer before and after the completion of the unit of study. The method has been partially tested with promising results. Index Terms--Cooperative learning, electric power education, interactive learning, technology-enhanced classroom.